Chapter 16: Where Am I Supposed to Find a Partner to Cross That Line With?!

After touring the city, Leon, Vivian, and Fiora arrived at the s*ave Merchants’ Guild, where they helped Fiora officially register for a high-grade s*ave certificate.

Coming out of the guild, Fiora held the s*ave certificate in her hand, her feelings complicated.

After all, she was the king of a clan—yet now, she had been reduced to the s*ave of a pervert.

When will these ridiculous days finally end?

Leon walked in front, leading Fiora and Vivian.

Fiora recalled Leon’s behavior today—it was truly strange.

He was colder than usual, practically impervious.

Fiora, who prided herself on being the goddess of conquest, found that none of her usual techniques had any effect on this man.

In fact, they only made Leon’s attitude worse and worse.

At this point, he wouldn’t even start a conversation with Vivian, and he’d even put physical distance between himself and her.

“Fiora, what’s going on? Are you deliberately setting me up?” Vivian asked in a low voice.

“No, Vivian. Do you think my methods are strange?”

“No, I think they’re all excellent strategies, but… they’re just not working at all?”

Fiora herself was confused.

Given the foundation of their good relationship, why weren’t these atmosphere-building events bringing the two of them any closer?

Since she had also been male in her past life, Fiora tried to put herself in Leon’s position.

Leon’s foul mood was likely due to this situation: he liked a girl but hadn’t managed to win her over yet, so he had no interest in any other members of the opposite s*x who threw themselves at him.

Fiora’s eyes widened in sudden realization.

No wonder it’s like this!

Right now, the person with the highest affection rating in Leon’s heart isn’t Vivian!

That’s why these events didn’t produce the expected results.

In that case… who’s the girl this man has his eyes on?

Slowly, a terrible guess rose in Fiora’s heart.

She marveled at her own bold yet reasonable hypothesis.

The person Leon likes right now is very likely… me!

No wonder he’s always had a strange attitude toward me.

Besides, Leon is surrounded by girls with amazing figures.

Where in the world would there be a loli character with a washboard chest like me?

Maybe a guest tired of a grand banquet would suddenly find a meal of simple fare quite delicious.

“Fiora, why are you sweating? Did you think of something?”
Vivian leaned in.

Fiora immediately forced a strained smile and replied evasively, “N-No, nothing.”

She quickened her pace, came up beside Leon, and tugged on his sleeve.

Leon glanced back, his expression blank.

“What is it?”

“Uh… well, I…”

Fiora didn’t know how to ask.

She couldn’t just blurt out, Do you like me?

Wouldn’t that be the same as exposing herself?!

“If it’s not important, don’t talk to me.”

“It’s annoying… my mind’s a mess.”

Damn it! Why are you, a damn harem protagonist, making such a sour face?!

Fiora shot Leon a look, puffing her cheeks in frustration as she let go of his sleeve.

If he were facing the person he actually liked, would he have this kind of attitude?

Besides, think about it: is there a man in this world who, upon first meeting his secret crush, puts a s*ave collar on her and demands she become his toy?

Not a chance in hell!

Even I, with zero romantic experience, wouldn’t do something that perverted to someone I like!

This bastard is clearly just bored of playing with normal women and wants to try a child-sized non-human.

He’s only interested in me physically.

Fiora recalled confessing to her childhood friend in her past life, only for the friend to respond with a surprised look, Why would you think I like you?

That bad memory made her even more certain her current judgment was wrong.

This man must have someone else he’s secretly interested in.

Fiora decided she’d find a chance to discuss it properly with Vivian later.

***

“What’s that Destiny Reading thing?”
Vivian pointed to a tent in a dark alley.

A sign hung outside, reading something like:

[The renowned legendary traveling fortune-teller of the continent, still traveling to this day, reading the destinies of those with whom fate has intertwined.]

“It feels super suspicious,” Leon said.

Fiora seized the opportunity, determined to push the conquest plan forward.

“Let’s go. We can give it a try—maybe a love fortune~”

Her seemingly casual words made both Leon and Vivian pause, realizing something at the same time.

In the end, they both agreed.

Fiora went in first.

She placed her hand on the crystal ball.

Although the ball didn’t change at all, the fortune-teller immediately began spouting nonsense—

“Congratulations, customer.”

“Today, due to a wonderful accident, you and your destined person will develop at supersonic speed and ascend the stairs to adulthood.”

Wow, what is this quack talking about?!

What destined person?

I haven’t had one since I was born in this world, okay!

And what the heck are the ‘stairs to adulthood’?!

Even if you’re going to lie, at least make it sound believable!

Fiora gave a few perfunctory replies and walked out.

Vivian went in next.

To protect everyone’s privacy, you had to enter the fortune-telling tent one person at a time.

So Fiora and Leon waited outside.

Since it was a bit removed from the main street, the area was quiet.

Leaning against the wall, they both stood there, bored.

This time, however, Leon surprisingly took the initiative to speak.

“What did the fortune-teller say just now?”

“Just a love fortune,” Fiora replied, remembering the fortune-teller’s warning before she left.

“She said something will happen between me and my destined person.”

Fiora glanced at Leon, recalling the fortune-teller’s parting words.

“She also said not to tell anyone other than my destined person, or it won’t come true.”

“So that’s how it is. It really is about Vivian, huh…”

“But it’s fine if I tell you. I don’t believe in that hocus-pocus anyway,” Fiora interrupted, cutting off Leon’s train of thought.

“She said that today, I’ll ascend the stairs to adulthood with my destined person… I don’t really get it.”

“That sounds ridiculous.”

“How would that even be possible?”

“W-What?!” Leon suddenly blurted out in a weird tone.

“I won’t allow you and my sister to engage in such impure relations so quickly!”

“Huh?”

Fiora was completely bewildered but decided not to pursue it.

He’d been acting neurotic all day anyway.

Come to think of it, she thought, even if the fortune-teller’s words were true, since I told Leon, I’ve already broken the rule that says the fortune will fail if anyone other than the destined person knows.

So of course, it won’t come true.